Honourable members of the University of Latvia Senate,
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
I
We have gathered here today, at the Aula Magna, on a very special occasion – to celebrate the 100th anniversary of University of Latvia, our Alma Mater.
Let me emphasise, the first hundred-year anniversary. Efforts of the people of Latvia, and especially your efforts, are already shaping the agenda for the second century of our University. Professor Auziņš already pointed out that the likelihood of seeing another century is high, but it is not a given, we still have to earn it.
II
Ideally, Senate should be the core of the University and shape, guide and lead the University in any political and economic context.
I urge everyone in this room to carefully consider your role, potential and readiness to fulfil your today’s mission with high degree of responsibility towards our fellow countrymen and future generations.
III
University of Latvia is an integral part of the past, present and future of our country.
Universal access to good higher education is the key driver of Latvia’s development. Our people need learning environment conducive to attracting talent, brilliant discoveries and inventions that serve the whole mankind.
Both you and I have the power to create such environment, even if its benefits will be enjoyed by next generations. We have to set ourselves ambitious and demanding goals and stick to them.
IV
Let us remind ourselves of the 19th-century Latvian intellectuals, especially the so-called New Latvians. The idea of a national university emerged from the growing national movement. When Latvians did not even have their own schools. This idea was elaborated by Atis Kronvalds, Krišjānis Valdemārs and other intellectuals.
Whereas modern-day world and Latvia prefers short-term thinking and we want to achieve big goals quickly and fast. A man’s life seems too long for major change. And, from today’s perspective, it would seem too big of a sacrifice to devote your life to something that will not yield results in your lifetime and would bring benefits only to the following generations.
It took about three decades to make the idea voiced by New Latvians come true and open the first Latvian secondary schools, and 50 years until the establishment of Latvian university. This is how strong the desire of academically educated Latvians was and how strongly they believed in the ideal of the nation having its own university. And the impact was felt only several generations later.
Nowadays, far-reaching ideas that have the potential to deeply and significantly affect the life of the whole nation and people also often come from academic community. Unfortunately, these ideas are rarely discussed publicly and seldom understood or implemented.
V
As we all know, the idea of making higher education available in Latvia was conceived by Latvians who studied in Tartu and St. Petersburg during the World War I. The concept of national university proposed by Pauls Dāle in 1916 was met with significant support and garnered a lot of interest among academically educated Latvians who were ‘scattered’ throughout Russia, far-away from Latvia. Whereas, in 1917, when the first congress of Latvian teachers and education workers took place in Tartu, the idea of national university began to take much clearer shape.
All of that was achieved through what we today call the ‘grassroots initiative’. Despite having no official support, these dreams, which were built on the desire and ideas of these people, soon became reality.
VI
University of Latvia, like other bodies of newly established Latvia, was eventually founded in 1919. It was founded during the War of Independence. However, its establishment was surrounded by circumstances that can only be paralleled with that of the passion, enthusiasm and inspiration of the Third Awakening.
For the first time in history academically educated Latvians had the unique chance to build the foundations, establish the principles and characteristics of the national university. I believe that it must have been a very special and humbling feeling to be the chosen ones who fulfil the dream of the whole nation. Various accounts show that those who led the process shared great unanimity and passion. But there was more to it. It took hard work to turn those ideals into reality.
University became the key to science and independent academic research in Latvian. Key to diverse and wholesome intellectual life in Latvian. Key to establishment of an identity of a modern nation. It played an instrumental role in building of the Latvian nation and its self-esteem. It was not a haphazard process. It was carefully ‘crafted’, steered and led by those intellectuals and also supported by the government.
Next generation of Latvian scholars and researchers formed the intellectual elite of newly established state of Latvia.
Compared to other European nations, the uptake of higher education among Latvians was very strong in the first decades after the proclamation of Latvia. We were and still are proud about such thirst for knowledge which has also been statistically recorded. It was and still is one of Latvia’s advantages. Because our life is primarily driven by determination, talent and will, not, for example, factors like wealth, state protection, etc. We had to build the elites back then and continue to do so in democratic Latvia today.
VII
To this day we can draw our inspiration from predecessors who followed the moto of the university, ‘in the name of science and Fatherland’, closely in their work. They never betrayed this idea – neither throughout their time here in Latvia, nor in exile. Science sees no borders, but scientists do have their limits.
Despite their own convictions, University of Latvia, its professors and students were forced to accept the ideological and political pressures accompanying the curricula, science and academic career throughout the 50 years of Soviet occupation. There were areas in which you could escape that, at least partly, and there were areas where it was inescapable.
Repressions of the totalitarian regime pushed out many respected scientists and professors who believed in nationalism. They were forced into cynical collaboration through fear, temptation and coercion.
Throughout this period, University and its undeniable successes were overshadowed by double standards and ethical dilemmas that we do not have to face in democracy today.
Since regaining of independence in the 1990-ies, university, like the rest of Latvia, has analysed only some of the aspects of the effects this period had. We failed to formulate a clear attitude and assessment of those values. We stuck in past instead of reflecting and releasing the energy that comes with clarity and confirmation.
VIII
In short, there is plenty to be done and tackled.
The way I see it, science nowadays has been ‘pushed into project trap’. We will not be able to turn the tide or be able to extend the frontiers if we just go with the flow. But we must also be sensible and make sure our Alma Mater restores balance between bureaucracy and science or the letter and the spirit.
Along with better governance, university should also bring back the idealism and serve the higher purpose. Bureaucracy should not distract researchers and scientists from their work too much.
If we want to succeed, reforms and changes cannot be done half-heartedly or pro forma. We have to focus on the essentials, there is no other way.
We are, however, in a much better and favourable position than founders of the university were. We have a 100-year experience, we are not starting from scratch as the did. So, we can take this experience into the second century.
IX
What kind of university Latvia, its people and future generations need?
First, university must be universally accessible irrespective of financial wealth of a family. In other words, it must be mostly state funded.
We need a university which can leave our nation a contemporary legacy and best knowledge our intellectual elites can master.
We also need multitalented, broad-minded population, which sees both the local, regional and global perspectives and can contribute to a sustainable democracy. Demographic pressures mean that we cannot allow the low-skilled and poorly educated workforce to dominate.
Excellence always requires a breakthrough, a leap. So, it is not a ‘mass production’. I hope the university will set its overall standards as high as possible and create environment conducive to excellence at the same time.
Latvia needs a university that prioritises those disciplines that form the core of our national identity. Specific disciplines that are vital for us alone: Latvian language, literature, history, culture, areas that, globally speaking, are deeply rooted in Latvia, in the University of Latvia.
X
Latvia should be more in tune with global trends and ideas to keep modernising and growing. We need internationally competitive university, a major European and global player who can match other well-known universities in terms of quality of education, and science.
University of Latvia already has reached high level of competitiveness in some areas, but there is still a long way to go.
Education as an engine of growth is a common concern, therefore, a global Futures of Education initiative was launched by UNESCO last week. It is with great pride and joy that I can inform you that our own Honorary Doctorate and Professor Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga is on the steering committee of this initiative.
We are in the process of updating and upgrading the higher education and science governance reform strategy to ensure that it contributes to higher competitiveness in all sectors of science. Ministry of Education and Science will present it in December. I assume it is one of the most debated topics everywhere, and especially within these walls.
As I already underlined, I expect this strategy to give the University of Latvia tools necessary for achieving European and global level of excellence in a foreseeable future, enabling us to offer top quality education to our talented students right here in Latvia. At the same time, I hope that university will preserve those scientific disciplines that are so vital to us, the Latvians.
Dear members of the Senate,
It is up to you to ensure that this strategy is properly debated, perfected and brought into action. Government can give you the required funding and legal instruments, but it is up to you to use them wisely.
XI
Let me also turn my attention to Latvian researchers who have either worked for or studied in the University of Latvia.
Many have left in search of not only better pay, but also better opportunities for personal development and professional career. That is a natural and important part of a globalised world. It is good and commendable, but also inevitable process.
Nevertheless, I would like to urge Latvian scientists working in different parts of the world to preserve their identity and bond with Latvia. Latvia is our main value that should not be lost. I also urge you to share your rich experience and knowledge with University of Latvia.
Let me on behalf of all the Latvian people and myself thank all those Latvian scientists and researchers who are loyally pursuing their scientific interests here in Latvia, Riga and other Latvian regions despite the harsh and maybe even unfair reality of all those years of austerity. Thank you for what you do and give to Latvian science!
Boosting the prestige of science and scientific work is one of the future tasks of the university. You do, however, need political will and state support for that. But you must also show your commitment to become a modern national-level science hub that offers its students higher education aligned with highest international standards.
XII
When given the best opportunities for personal development and professional growth, Latvians will choose Latvia above all else. Our country will thrive, our people will become wiser and all concerns about the survival of our nation will no longer be valid.
XIII
Write now we stand on a verge of a new period in the life of the University of Latvia, its second century.
Fate of the university is closely interlocked with the fate of our country and its people. There is no other way.
Let us pay our respect and celebrate the founders of the university, former rectors and current acting rector, the entire academic staff and scholars, all the alumni and current students of our Alma Mater today.
May the next-century University of Latvia be ripe with ideas, collaborations and top potential.
I wish University of Latvia to continue to play an active and productive role in the shaping of the future of our democracy and Latvian identity.
